You've already made your choice, but thought I'd pipe up. I, too, have mixed feelings about my walkers low nepeta, because I haven't given it quite enough room where it's planted. But I have been admiring several newish mass installations around Vancouver that this city has done on public property, meridians, etc and it is absolutely spectacular. They are using it a lot in the narrow meridians on busy streets -- narrowish beds maybe 4' feet wide with nepeta in long, long lines, sometimes with tall grasses. So beautiful. I'm starting to like it best like this -- on it's own in long borders the way you often see done with lavender. I will try to get a pic next time I drive by one. Sheri

I feel your pain Natanya, Not because I am moving all of the front bed, but I am moving out about a dozen and replacing them with new ones. Plus a few have overgrown their space, so I have some work to do. Several of my new ones are Emmerich intros, so they may do well even their first year. kay

OOOO the ideas are comming in now.. I love it Kara I would love some of the yellow butterfly bush seeds i you have extra.. Is it the buddelia type of butterfly bush? If so and if you can tell me how I can share with you too.. I have purple (nice sized) white (just getting going) and a small pink one I just bought at HD.. Nikki I love your ideas they sound beautiful but the bed is already 5 feet wide as it is and is boardering where we will eventually be our driveway to the garage.. ( probably stone pavers kinda natural ) I thought it was 4foot but my dear Dh corrected me..lol Ambersky I believe I really like the idea of the purple firespike since I already have red it would be a nice addition.. O and I will definately be looking up the Formosa Sage it sounds like something I would like.. Anyone have any black eyed susans or know where I could get some? I really loved havingthem in ohio and I bet they would last a bit longer here with the milder weather but havent seen many anywhere. The Dh is even liking the general plant suggestions but he wants to sit his 2 citrus trees in for awhile ( they are small right now and in pots we could sink in the ground if needed ) Keep the suggestions comming please..

Compost is considered a soil amendment. It is not intended to be a sole planting medium although it can certainly be used to supplement any type of garden or potting soil. But not take the place of :-) Compost is only partially (OK, mostly) decomposed organic matter. It contains none of the mineral components of a true soil so may very well be lacking in certain micronutrients. And because it is only partially decomposed, it will continue to break down over time, compressing and collapsing and becoming waterlogged and impeding good drainage.And because it continues to decompose, it shrinks. You can expect a 25-60% reduction in volume of compost over the course of a full growing season, depending on how "finished" it is to start with. One can encounter all manner of anecodotal experiences about growing plants in less than ideal media - heck, hydroponics grows plants in nothing but water - but it is not always the most efficient or productive method. There is a solidly scientific reason why potting mixes and garden blends were created!